Carton folding and filling machine



Nov. 7, 1967 G. w. M DONALD CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE l0Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1965 INVENTOR,

BY \(AQL U). FLocms ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 l G. WJMDONALD 3,350,841

CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 2I NVEN TOR GEO/865W Mw/ww ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 cs. w. M DONALD CARTONFOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 13, 1965 3 m3i" r A 6 W wfik Sw i ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 G. w. M DONALD GARTON FOLDINGAND FILLING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 13, 1965 E com 4 3g im. 7 LEE \(AQL U0. FLQQK ATTORNEY v NOV. 1967 G. w. MCDONALD 3,350,841

CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE Fil'ed'Dec. 13, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet5 \91 '10s INVENTOR,

GEO/96E M/Amamm KNZL w; FLocK-s ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 G. w. M DONALDCARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 13, 1965H6. 5

R, mm s mm m 6 N0 1 Q 1 m (0. R M. vW w E .5 6 L .3 WP. A m E m m ..K QMM 7 w W a 4 w s m r 5 H m mm 1H Mm 0 m ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 c. w.MCDONALD 3,35

CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 196 10 Sheets-Sheet 7INVENTOR 650F629 W/AQomw BY mm. u). PLQQKQ ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1967 G. w, co 3,350,841

CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet 8BY MQL w. Plocks NEY INVENTOR Nov. 7, 1967 G. W. M DONALD CARTON FOLDINGAND FILLING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 13, 1965 R Y m 0 m SR10 o A C. L FF W E w w m 0 m N 1967 s. w. MCDONALD 3,

CARTON FOLDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1965 10 Sheets-Sheet10 INVENTOR, GMEGEW M! 00/1/4417 United States Patent C) 3,350,841CARTON FULDING AND FILLING MAQHINE George W. McDonald, New York, N.Y.,assignor to Diamond International Corporation, New York. N.Y., acorporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 13, 1965, Ser- No. 513,450 11 Claims.(Cl. 53-186) This invention relates generally to automatic folding andfilling machines for the purpose of automatically opening or setting upcartons which are initially supplied to the machine in a flat orknock-down condition, folding and orienting the flaps at one end of thecarton, filling the carton through the open end with a preferredmaterial, and then folding and orienting the remaining flaps.

Cartons of the general character involved as well as apparatus forperforming a similar function are disclosed in detail in United StatesLetters Patent to Anderson No. 2,612,016, issued Sept. 30, 1952 andUnited States Letters Patent to Taggart et al. No. 3,114,226, issuedDec. 17, 1963.

The prior art machine generally know to the art is identified as theModel 55, half gallon machine produced by Anderson BrothersManufacturing Company of Rockford, Illinois.

Machines of the general character mentioned above are relativelyexpensive and as disclosed in the patent to Anderson, No. 2,612,016,were previously used for the purpose of operating on lock-end cartons asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25 of the just mentioned patent. The patent toTaggart et al., No. 3,114,226, discloses apparatus used in conjunctionwith heat sealing apparatus, and the carton disclosed in FIG. of thispatent has end closure flaps which are heat sealed and comprises aglued-end carton.

The present application is directed to improvements on the apparatusdisclosed in United States Letters Patent to Anderson, No. 2,612,016,and a primary object of the present invention is to provide conversionattachments which facilitate using the apparatus for folding, fillingand closing cartons having either lock-end or heatsealed end closureflaps.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means forutilizing the drive mechanism of a conventional carton folding andfilling apparatus to permit the closing of the lower closure flaps of aglued-end carton in a folding sequence distinctly different from thatrequired for the closure flaps of lock-end cartons normally used in theapparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means utilizedon a conventional carton folding and filling apparatus to close theupper closure flaps of a carton in a folding sequence distinctlydifferent from that normally accomplished by the apparatus.

And yet another object of the present invention is to provide a supplyhopper conversion attachment in a carton folding and filling apparatuswhich includes means whereby the supply hopper may accommodate a supplyof folded fiat cartons distinctly different from those for which thesupply hopper was originally designed.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide in acarton folding and filling machine, conversion attachments operated bythe normal drive mechanism of the apparatus which foldingly orients thelower closure flaps of a carton in a stepby-step movement through theconveyor ways of the apparatus and maintains the closure flaps in aclosed unsealed condition while transporting them to a filling stationof the apparatus.

These together with other and more specific objects and advantages willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following description whentaken in conjunction with the drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary top planview of the ap- 3,350,841 Patented Nov.7, 1967 paratus after it has been converted to handle gluedend closureflaps of a carton;

FIG. lb is a fragmentary top plan view showing the right hand portion ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1a from line lib-1b of FIG. la;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plan of linelc-lc of FIG. 11: showing details of the filling station of theapparatus;

FIG. 2a is a side elevation of FIG. In from the side indicated at 2a onFIG. In;

FIG. 2b is a side elevation of the apparatus and comprising the righthand portion of FIG. Zn from line 2b-2b of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view, with portions brokenaway, showing details of the structure of 211;

FIG. 4 is a substantially diagrammatic perspective view showing theelements of the conversion attachment for orienting the side and leadinglower closure flaps of a carton, in the order mentioned, andillustrating by phantom lines the alternate position of the componentfor retaining the leading lower closure flap in a closed condition;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view substantially the same as FIG. 5 and showing the mannerin which the conversion attachment of the invention is de-activated topermit the apparatus to function with lock-end cartons;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on theplane of line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal plan view takensubstantially on the plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 2a,-

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with portions broken away for thepurpose of showing structural details;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken substantially on theplane of line 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the planeof line 11-11 of FIG. 2b;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal plan view taken substantially on theplane of line 12-42 of FIG. 2b;

FIGS. l3al3e are fragmentary perspective views, essentially diagrammaticand sequentially showing the manner in which the lower closure flaps arefolded into a closing position and retained therein until the cartonmoves onto a fixed support;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a portion of theconversion attachment for folding and orienting the trailing lowerclosure flap in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13d;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the supply-hopperof the apparatus with a conversion attachment installed;

FIG 16 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 15 with theconversion attachment removed;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation of the conversion attachrnentshown in FIG. 15 removed from the supply-hopper of the apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus with theconversion attachments oriented to an inactive position to permit theapparatus to be used with lock-end closure iiap cartons;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary vertical elevation of a portion of one of thepusher plates of the apparatus showing the springdoaded pusher fingersthereof;

FIG. 20 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line20-20 of FIG. 19 and showing by means of phantom lines the alternateposition of the springloaded pusher fingers;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, substantially diagrammatic view illustratingthe manner in Which the initially folded fiat cartons oriented into atubular condition;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the glue-end closure flap carton to befolded and filled through the utilization of the conversion attachmentsof the invention;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of FIG. 1a andillustrating by means of phantom lines the manner in which the initiallyfolded-fiat cartons are bucked into a tubular condition on theapparatus;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner inwhich the carton breaker initiates open ing of the folded-flat cartonprior to it being formed into a tubular or squared condition; and

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the carton breaker withportions broken away.

Prior to describing the apparatus in detail, the struc ture which isgenerally shown in United States Letters Patent to Anderson, No.2,612,016, will be generally described in this application, however, adetailed description of the conventional structure may be had byreferring to the aforementioned patent.

Referring to the drawing in detail and the preferred embodiment of theinvention, in FIGS. la, lb the apparatus indicated generally at lit)comprises a suitable support stand or base including a hopper section inwhich folded-flat cartons are disposed as indicated generally at 12, anunfolding section 14 for unfolding the folded-flat cartons and squaringthem into a tubular configuration, a lower closure-flap folding sectionindicated generally at 16 (see also FIGS. 2a, 2b), carton filling meansindicated generally at 18, and upper closure-iap folding sectionindicated generally at 20. Suitably mounted on the apparatus andextending vertically from the upper surface of the base thereof aremutually parallel way members 22 and 24 which define the longitudinalpath of travel of cartons through the apparatus; the way member 24extends transversely with respect to one end of the hopper section 12 asclearly seen in FIG. 1a.

The way members 22 and 24 (see FIG. 11) have reciprocably supportedtherein pusher plates 26 and 28, respectively, which extendsubstantially the length of the way members and which have incorporatedthereon in wardly extending, longitudinally spaced pusher lug assembliesindicated generally at 30. Details of the pusher lug assemblies are alsoseen in FIGS. 19 and 20 and generally include spring-loaded, pusherfingers 32 which are normally biased into the longitudinal path oftravel of cartons between the way members 22 and 24- as shown, forexample, by solid lines in FIG. 20. During reciprocation of the pusherplates 26 and 28, from the hopper section 12 toward the section 22 fororienting the upper closure flaps of the carton, the fingers 32 arebiased outwardly. The fingers 32 move outwardly as indicated by phantomlines in FIG. 20 during reverse movement i.e. movement of the pusherplates, rearwardly toward the hopper section 12. The pusher plates 26and 28 in a sense have a shuttle-like movement, and explicit details andfunction of the pusher plates may be had by detailed reference to thepatent to Anderson No. 2,612,016. The pusher plates engage thefolded-fiat carton (see FIG. 15 of this application), and tend to movethem along the Way member 24 through the various folding and fillingsections of the apparatus.

The pusher plates 24 and 26 are coordinated in reciprocatory movement bymeans of one or more yokes 34 (see FIG. 11) for example, connected to areciprocatory, rearwardly extending rod 36 which is reciprocated by anysuitable drive means, for example, the type of drive disclosed in detailin the aforementioned Anderson patent.

Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, 21 and 22 prior to describing details of thehopper section 12 unfolding section etc., the glued-end carton per se inits folded fiat condition and tubular or squared form will be described.Referring first to FIG. 22, and generally orienting the tubular orsquared carton in relation to its path of movement through theapparatus, the carton includes opposed mutually parallel side walls 38and 40 hingedly connected and at right angles to mutually parallel wallpanels 42 and 44; the wall panel 42 being conveniently described as theforward panel with reference to the movement of the carton through theapparatus. Hingedly connected on suitable fold lines at the upper edgesof the wall panels 38-44 is an upper closure flap assembly whichpreferably will have thereon (not shown) a heat-activated adhesive toprovide a glued-end closure flap assembly. The side walls 38 and 4%)have hingedly connected at fold lines 46 and 48, respectively, innerclosure flaps 50 and 52, respectively, including in this embodiment, anotch portion 54 and tongue portion 56. The inner closure flaps 5t) and52 are disposed in substantially coplanar relationship with the tongue56 received in the notch 54 prior to manipulation of the outer closureflaps.

Hingedly connected at 58 at the upper edge of the forward wall 42 of thetubular carton is a leading outer closure flap 60 which includes in thisembodiment a tab portion 62 which will be received beneath a trailingclosure flap 64 hingedly connected at 66 to the trailing Wall 44 of thetubular carton.

The walls 38-44 have hingedly connected to the lower margins thereof alower closure fiap assembly comprising inner and outer closure flapsidentical with those described above and having a similar foldingsequence in cooperating relationship to those at the upper edge of thewalls. In order to facilitate identification of the correspondingclosure fiaps at the upper and lower margins of the tubular carton, thelower closure fiaps are identified with the primed reference numeralsthe same as those used to identify the upper closure flaps. The cartonsin their folded-fiat condition can be clearly seen in FIGS. 15 and 21,for example, and it will be noted that the walls 38 and 42 are disposedin substantially coplanar relationship and overlying fiat relationshipto the walls 44 and 40. The leading flap 6% on both the upper and lowerclosure flap assemblies will be disposed beneath the trailing closureflaps 64, the folded-fiat cartons will be placed in the hopper section12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 15.

The hopper section 12 has a relatively large L cross section including avertical plate 66 and a horizontal base plate 68. Suitably mounted onthe plate 68 is an upper guide rail 70 having reciprocably disposedthereon a pusher plate 72 connected to a flexible cable '74. The cable'74, as seen in FIG. 2a, is suitably supported over idler pulleys 76 and78 and is connected at its terminal end to a weight 89 for imposing abiasing pressure on the stack of vertically disposed cartons in thehopper section.

Considering FIG. 16, a lower portion of a plurality of conventionalfolded-fiat lock-end cartons are shown, and it will be noted that theglued-end cartons shown in FIG. 15 have a distinct closure flap profileas compared with that of the cartons in the hopper section of FIG. 16.In order to more satisfactorily accommodate the glued-end cartons in thehopper section, an insert plate 82 is removably mounted on thehorizontal leg 68 of the hopper section. The insert plate 82 includes afiat base section 84 having projecting downwardly therefrom male keyelements 86 removably received in transverse key hole slots 88 formed inleg 68 of the hopper section. The base plate 84 has extending verticallytherefrom the channel portion 90 receiving thereon the notch portion 54of the lower closure flaps 50.

As clearly apparent from FIG. 15, the pusher fingers 32 of the pusherplate 28 will engage the folded-flat carton forwardmost in the hoppersection and move it forwardly through the longitudinal path of traveldefined between the way members 22 and 24 of the apparatus. The pressureplate 72 engages the rearmost folded-fiat carton in the hopper section.

The vertical leg 66 of the hopper section 12 (see FIG. 23) incorporateson the inner edge thereof an adjustable pressure plate 92 which isspring biased toward the way member 24 and which has an edge portion 94urging the innermost carton C toward the way member 24 which extendstransversely of the innermost end of the hopper section 12.

Indicated generally at 96 (see FIGS. 1a, 23-25) is an attachment forpie-breaking or initiating unfolding of the folded-flat cartons C. Theattachment 96 is removably secured to the upper portion of the waymember 24 in any suitable manner, and includes a guide plate portion 98engageable with the leading outer closure flap 60 (see FIG. 21) which isengageable beneath the twisted portion 100 of the attachment 96 fordisposing the leading outer closure flap 60 into a substantiallyhorizontally disposed condition as indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 21on the carton C. Fixed to the attachment 96 downstream or substantiallyadjacent to the twisted portion 100 is a spring biased breaker elementor a finger 122 which engages the leading edge of the carton flap 50 asit is moved forwardly adjacent the inner portion of the way member 24 toinitiate movement of the panels toward the condition shown in FIG. 23,for example. The breaker-finger 102 engages the leading edge 194 of theclosure flap 50 (see FIG. 24) and in a sense restrains its movement toinitiate the prebreaking. As the carton C moves longitudinallydownstream along the longitudinal path of travel defined between the waymembers 22 and 24, the leading closure flap 61} will substantiallysupport the carton by being disposed in a longitudinally extendinggroove 108 formed between the way member 24 and the attachment 96. Asthe carton C is being moved forwardly, and the finger 192 initiatespartial opening or breaking of the carton, the edge 103 of the tubularpartially unfolded carton body will be engaged by an abutment lip 11%)of a squaring arm 112. The arm 112 is pivotally mounted on a verticalpivot shaft 114 and includes a rear lever portion providing an anchorfor one end of a biasing spring 116 which is anchored to an aperturedmounting portion 118 on the way member 22. The abutment lip 110 ispivotally mounted at 129 on the arm 112 and is spring biased by a spring122 into laterally projecting relation (see FIG. 25).

As the carton C is moved from the hopper through the way members, andafter it is pro-broken by finger 102, the leading edge 1433 of thecarton engages the abutment lip 111). Continued downstream movement ofthe carton C results in the carton being formed into a rectangular tube;see C shown in phantom lines in FIG. 23 as well as FIG. 21, and the arm112 will pivot about the shaft 114 i.e. resisting movement of the blankC to cause the blank to unfold. Continued pressure exerted on the cartonC by the pusher plates 26 and 2S and the finger 32 thereon results inthe rectangular tubes being moved past lip 110' which will be pivoted at120 against the tension of spring 122. The attachment 96 includes asuitably mounted depending, stationary parting sword or plow-type blade124 which will be disposed in the path of travel of the carton beingformed into a rectangular tube. The blade 124 functions to separateinner closure flaps 50 and 52 as the flaps are moved through theapparatus and the carton is being unfolded in the manner mentioned above(see FIGS. 1a, 2a and 15, for example). Additionally, a substantiallyhorizontally disposed orienting blade 126 extends horizontally over thepath of travel of the cartons and is effective to engage the trailingouter closure flap 64 and disposes it in a trailing, substantiallyhorizontal position.

CLOSING OF BOTTOM CLOSURE FLAPS Located at the position in the path oftravel where the carton is opened into a rectangular tube, is the lowerclosure-flap folding section 16 comprising a lower inner flap foldingportion indicated generally at 128 (see FIGS. 2a, 4 and 5). The foldingportion 128 comprises a pair of opposed support plates 131 and 132respectively mounted and depending from the way members 22 and 24. Thesupport plates include lower horizontally disposed bearing sleeves 134and 136 in which are journaled support shafts 138 and 140. The shaftshave fixed thereto at the forward end thereof and extending radiallyfrom the axis of rotation of the shafts, suitably conformed, foldingplates 142 and .144, respectively. The plates are normally disposed invertically depending relationship as seen in FIG. 4, for example.

Fixed to the rear end of the shafts 138 and are laterally projectinglevers 146 and 148 which are pivotally connected at 150 and 152,respectively, to upper ends of adjustable force transmitting rods 154and 156. Since the length of the rods 154 and 156 can be adjusted, thisexpedient will be utilized to control the timed pivotal relationshipbetween folding plates 142 and 144, i.e. to insure that inner closureflaps 52', 54 are properly interengaged.

The inner flap folding portion 128 of lower closure flap assembly 16includes a mounting plate 157 and a suitably journaled support shaft 158which has fixedly secured in spaced relation thereon radially projectinglevers 160 and 162 which are respectively pivotally connected at 164 and166 to the upper ends of rods 154 and 156, respectively.

Fixed to the shaft 158 at one side of the longitudinal path or" travelof cartons through the apparatus is an operating lever 168. The plate157 includes an upper support portion 170 upon which a stub shaft 172 ofa bellcrank lever 174 is journaled. The shaft 172 includes a pin 175 towhich one end of a tension spring 169 is anchored, the other end beinganchored to lever 16%. The bell-crank lever includes one leg portion 176pivotally connected at 178 to a connecting lever 186 detachablyconnectable at 182 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to operating lever 168. Theconnecting lever when disconnected as seen in phantom lines in FIG. 5,permits the apparatus to be altered to set up lock-end type cartons.

The upper leg 184 of the lever 174 is disposed in the path of travel ofan abutment roller 186 journaled on a support portion 188 fixed to thepusher plate 26 (see FIGS. 4-7).

As the way members 24 and 26 are reciprocated, the roller 186 willengage the leg 184 of lever 174. When the parts are connected as seen inFIG. 4, upon engagement of the roller 186 with the lever leg 134, shaft158 will be rotated clockwise as indicated by the direction arrowsapplied to FIG. 4, rods 154 and 156 Will move downwardly and foldingplates 142 and 144 will move inwardly toward each other in timedrelation i.e. in the direction shown by the direction arrows on FIG. 4,whereby the lower inner flaps 50, 52 will be folded. into overlappedrelation as seen in FIG. 13b.

The reciprocable rod 36 includes an internally threaded terminalmounting portion 190 having detachably mounted by means of a screw 192an attachment indicated generally at 194 which functions to fold theleading outer closure flap 60 (see FIGS. 4, 10 and 13c, for example).The attachment 194 comprises a mounting bar 196 through which the screw192 extends, and an alignment pin 198 is received in a recess 200 of themounting portion 1% (see FIG. 10). Pivotally mounted at 202 is a lever204 which is spring biased rearwardly (see FIG. 4), by a tension spring206. The bar 196 includes a laterally extending stop pin 208 disposed inthe path of travel of a lower portion of the lever 264 (see FIG. 10).The lever 204 has journaled thereon in laterally extending relationshipan elongated roller element 210.

The roller 210 is normally disposed in the rearwardly urged positionshown in FIG. 4, for example and is reciprocated with the bar 36. Afterthe inner sealing flaps 50', 52' are disposed in the condition shown inFIG. 1312, the roller 210 will engage the leading outer sealing flap 60'which is disposed in depending relationship as shown in FIG. 13b, andmove it in overlying relationship with respect to the inner sealingflaps 511, 52' as seen in FIG. 130. This, it will be observed, occurswhen the pusher plates 26, 28 are moving rearwardly. During the forwardmovement of the pusher plates 26 and 23, the carton will be movingforwardly along the longitudinal path of travel between the way members22 and 24, and at the same time the roller 210 will remain beneath theleading outer sealing flap 61) as illustrated in FIG. 13d.

Referring to FIGS. 2a, 2b, '8, 9, 12, 13c! and 14, an attachmentindicated generally at 212 is utilized to fold the trailing outersealing flap 64' in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13d. The attachment212 comprises a mounting plate 214 detachably mounted at 216 on asuitable mounting portion 218 on the way member 22. The plate 214 hasfixed thereto lateral or transverse support shaft 220 which hasjournaled on a reduced diameter portion 222 thereof (see FIG. 9) asleeve 224 of a folding lever 226. The shaft 220 has circumposedthereabout a tersion spring 228 which is anchored on the shaft at 230and which abuttingly engages the folding lever 226 at 232. The torsionspring 228 normally biases the lever 226 downwardly. The sleeve 224includes a radially projecting portion 234 which is pivotally connectedat 236 to a forcetransmitting rod 238. As seen in FIGS. 3, 2b and 1 forexample, the operating rod 36 has mounted on the inner surface thereofan angle element 24% which has a transversely apertured leg 242 throughwhich the force transmitting rod 238 extends. Adjustably secured incircumposed relationship about the rod 238 is an abutment element 244which is engaged by the apertured leg 242 to the rod 36 as the rod orbar 36 is reciprocated. The lever 226 includes an enlarged, arcuatecamming portion 246 which will be disposed centrally of the path oftravel of the cartons, and as the bar 36 is reciprocated, and after theleading outer sealing flap 611 is folded into horizontal relationship,through the adjusted position of the abutment 244, the lever 226 will bepivoted from the phantom line position shown in FIG. 13d to the solidline position, resulting in the trailing outer sealing flap 64' beingfolded into overlying relationship with respect to the inner sealingflaps and the portion 62' of the leading outer sealing flap 60'.

Briefly in review with respect to closing the bottom closure flaps insequence, after the carton is formed into a rectangular tube, the innerclosure flaps 50, 52 are disposed in overlying relation as seen in FIG.13b through the operation of folding plates 142 and 144 which areoperated by the oamming wheel or roller 186 engaging the lever leg 184.The carton which has previously been formed into a rectangular tube, andduring the positions shown in FIGS. 13a-13c, the carton is not beingmoved forwardly i.e. the pusher plates 26 and 28 are accomplishing arearwardly or returned stroke. During this return stroke, the bar 36through the attachment 194 and lever 204 which has roller 210 mountedthereon, accomplishes the function of folding the leading lower closureflap 611' into horizontal relationship as seen in FIG. 130. During theterminal portion of the reciprocation of the bar 36, the lever 226 ispivoted to the solid line position shown in FIG. 13d, resulting in thetrailing closure flap 64 being folded in overlying relationship to theinner closure flaps and the leading closure flap.

After the closure flaps have been folded into the condition shown inFIG. 13d, the attachment 194 will move together with the cartonforwardly through the longitudinal path of travel of the carton betweenthe way members.

The plate 214 has fixedly secured thereto forwardly of the portion towhich the shaft 224 is secured (see FIGS. 2a, 13c and 14) laterallyprojecting support rods 243 which have secured thereon longitudinallyextending support bars 250 having downwardly angled rearwardly extendingends 252. The forward ends of the longitudinally disposed support rods(see FIG. 2a) check through suitably apertured supports depending fromthe way members 22 and 24 as indicated at 254. After the lower closureflaps have been finally folded as illustrated in FIG. 13d, the forwardlymoving carton is moved onto the rods 250 and the pusher members 226, 228toward the carton filling means 18 which includes an elevator or cartonlifter.

FILLING THE CARTON Referring to FIG. 21, the previously mentioned blades124 and 126 will orient the leading and trailing upper outer closureflaps 60 and 64, respectively, to the positions shown in the centralportion of FIG. 21. The blades 124 and 126 are fixedly connected to asupport bar 256 detachably mounted at its rear end by a manuallyremovable screw 258. The bar 256 includes a downwardly inclined portion260 upon which the blade 124 is mounted and includes a horizontal guideor hold down portion 262 which will retain the flaps 60, 64substantially horizontal as seen in FIG. 21.

It will be recalled, that the bottom closure flap assem bly will havepreviously been folded into closing relationship, as previouslydescribed in detail, and the carton with the bottom closure flaps foldedinto closed relationship and the upper closure flaps disposed in thecondition shown in FIG. 21 will now move beneath the carton fillingmeans 18 as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 21, and as more clearly seenin FIGS. 1a and 1c.

Specific details of the filling means 18 will not be described inasmuchas this is a conventional portion of the apparatus, described forexample, in United States Letters Patent to Taggart et al. No.3,114,226. Briefly, as the upwardly opening carton nears the area undera nozzle or filling head 264 a flap weight 266 retains the lead ing andtrailing outer closure flaps of a horizontal position. When the cartonis under a nozzle head 264, it is raised by a carton lifter 268. Thecarton when arriving over the elevator 268, is raised in theconventional manner, and as it is being raised ice cream or a similarfluent material I is being deposited into the carton. A suitable controlswitch 270 includes a switch Operator 272 having a portion engageablewith the fold 58 of the leading outer closure flap 62 and when theoperator 272 engages the fold, dispensing of the fluent material isstopped. The then filled carton descends due to the weight of thematerial therein, and will once more settle onto the guide rods 250.

Considering FIGS. 2a, 2b and 11, the way members 22 and 24 have securedtherebeneath by means of mounting of elements 274 (see FIG. 11) aplurality of longitudinally extending support rods 276 which extendsbeneath the longitudinal path of travel of the now filled cartons.

CLOSING THE UPPER CLOSURE FLAPS Referring to FIG. 3, it will be recalledthat while the carton is being filled the leading outer closure flap 60and trailing outer closure flap 64 will be in a horizontally disposedposition while the inner closure flaps 50 and 52 will extend vertically.A displaceable flap folding attachment is indicated generally at 278 andcomprises fixed, forwardly projecting folding blades 280 and 282 and acenter blade 284, the blades 280 and 282 being effective to engagevertically extending inner closure flaps 50 and 52, respectively, anddisposed the same in overlying horizontal relationship, while the centerblade 284 retains the leading and trailing flaps 6i] and 64,respectively in a horizontally disposed condition.

As the cartons are being moved forwardly as seen in FIG. 3, the trailingflap 64 is prevented from being folded before the leading folding flap60. This function is accomplished through the medium of an abutment rod226 pivotally mounted at 288 on the attachment 278, and including adepending abutment finger 290 at the forward end. The finger 290includes a terminal portion 2% which will be engaged by the upper edgeof the trailing flap 64.

The way member 24 has mounted thereon a bracket 294 having a laterallyprojecting latch pin 296. Pivotally mounted on the side of theattachment 278 is a support bracket 298 having pivotally mounted at 300a latch bar 302 which is spring urged inwardly at its lower end by meansof a suitably anchored tension spring MP4. The latch bar 302 includes alower inwardly directed notch portion 306 engageable over the pin 2% forretaining the attachment 278 in the position shown in FIG. 3. Thehousing or attachment 278 is hinged at 308 (see FIG. 18) and the latchbar 302 is disengaged in the manner shown in FIG. 18 when lock-end typecartons are being filled on the apparatus.

Indicated generally at 310 is an attachment for sequentially folding theleading and trailing outer closure flaps 60 and 64, respectively, tooverlying relationship. The attachment 310 includes a support plate 312suitably supported on the way member 22, for example, and having alaterally extending upper support plate portion 314 overlying the pathof travel of the cartons between the way members. Pivotally mounted onthe support plate 314 as indicated at 316 is an abutment element 318including a depending support portion 320 having a hold down shoe 322fixed to the lower end thereof. Pivotally mounted on a lateral supportshaft 324 on the support portion 320 is a spring urged abutment orcamming finger 326.

As the carton is moved forwardly through the way members the leadingouter closure flap 60 will be oriented or folded into overlyingrelationship with respect to the inner closure flap. The abutment finger292 restrains early folding of the trailing outer closure flap 64, andthis flap is engaged by a folding blade or sword 328. The folding bladeor sword 328 is removably secured at 330 to the inner surface of the waymember 22. After the trailing closure flap 64 is folded into overlyingrelationship on the closure flap 60, the carton moves beneath a pressingshoe or foot 332 removably mounted at 334 on the upper surface of theplate 314.

Although not shown, the now closed upper and closure flap assemblies,which will have a heat-activated adhesive applied thereto will be sealedin any suitable manner; for example in the manner illustrated in detailin the patent to Taggart et al. No. 3,114,266.

The folding sequence of a lock-end carton as disclosed in United StatesLetters Patent to Anderson No. 2,6l2,- 016 (see FIGS. 24 and 25) forexample is in a sense reversed with respect to heat-sealed carton i.e.the socalled inner closure flaps 50', 52' and 50, 52 at the respectivelower and upper portions of the carton will be those which are lastfolded into overlying and locked engagement. In order to utilize thepreviously described equipment for lock-end cartons, the followingprocedures are effected:

The guide bar 256 is removed by means of the screw 258 and thisattachment is inverted as partially seen in FIG. 18 and as indicated at256. The lockend carton is formed into a rectangular tube as previouslydescribed in detail. The link 180 is detached as shown in phantom linesin FIG. 5 inasmuch as the folding plates 142 and 144 will bedeactivated. The attachment 212 is removed, as well as the attachment194. The attachment 278 is released by means of the latch lever 302 andthe attachment 278 is pivoted to the side as indicated at 278 in FIG.18.

Referring to FIGS. 14l7, the insert 82 is removed from the cartonhopper. Additionally, the way members 22 and 24 have fixedly connectedthereto support shafts 334 upon which are mounted inwardly projectinglocking plates 336 (only one being shown) see FIG. 7, which are retainedon the shaft by means of a lock screw 338. The folding plates 142 and144 will be disposed in a dormant position, and the pusher plates 26 and28 will have a slot permitting the pusher plates to reciprocate relativeto the shaft 334. The pusher plates (see FIGS. 5 and 6) for example,incorporate an operating cam 340 engageable with an abutment element 342for locking the closure flaps of the lock-end cartons. Finally. theabutment lever will have been pivoted upwardly as indicated at 318',folding blades forming locking blades 344 and 346 will be mounted on theunder surface of the support plate 314 for effecting final lock up ofthe lock-end closure assembly. The blades or folding plates 344 and 346are shown by means of phantom lines in FIGS. 3 and 11.

Briefly there has been disclosed apparatus which will effectively handleand effect packaging of both heatsealed packages as well as thoseincorporating a lock end closure flap type assembly. The hopper isconvertible for both types of cartons, the various attachments may bereadily mounted and dismounted and afford an unusual versatility in arelatively expensive piece of equipment.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes willbe made without departing from the scope of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification, but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a packaging apparatus for automatically setting up, filling andclosing the flaps of a carton supplied initiallyfiat and having fourside wall panels and an upper and lower pair of inner and outer closureflaps hinged at the end of each side wall, said apparatus comprising waymembers supported on a base and defining a longitudinal path of travelhaving an upstream inlet portion and a downstream outlet portion, apusher plate reciprocably supported on each of said way members, saidpusher plates including portions spaced longitudinally therealong andprojecting into said longitudinal path of travel for engaging and movingcartons step-by-step through said longitudinal path of travel as saidpusher plates are reciprocated, hopper means on said base for supportingvertically disposed, folded-flat cartons on edge and feeding themone-by-one into said inlet, means on said way members for engaging afolded-fiat carton and orienting the side walls as a rectangular tubebetween said way members, lower flap-folding means on said way membersbelow said longitudinal path of travel and operatively connected to saidpusher plates for closing the lower flaps in sequence at the lower edgesof said lower carton side wall panels, and closing the bottom of saidtube, carton filling means downstream of said lower flapfolding meansfor filling said carton with a predetermined amount of material to bepackaged, and upper flapfolding means downstream of said carton fillingmeans and above said longitudinal path of travel for closing the uppercarton flaps in sequence; the improvement wherein said lowerflap-folding means comprises lower inner closure flap-folding membersdisplaceably mounted on said way members at opposite sides of saidlongitudinal path of travel for folding the lower inner closure flapsinto overlying relationship, first outer closure flap-folding meansreciprocably supported beneath said longitudinal path of travel forengaging the leading, lower outer closure flap and folding it over thelower inner closure flaps and traveling downstream with said carton andretaining said inner closure flaps and leading outer closure flap infolded relationship, and second outer closure flap-folding meanspivotally supported beneath said longitudinal path of travel forengaging the trailing outer closure flap and folding the same inoverlying relationship with respect to said previously folded innerclosure flaps.

2. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lowerflap-folding means comprises a pair of folding plates pivotally mountedon longitudinal axes of rotation, force transmitting means operativelyconnected to said folding plates for pivoting said folding platesinwardly toward each other in relation to movement of said pusherplates.

3. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said forcetransmitting means comprises a pivotally mounted lever including a legportion extending vertically from the pivotal axis thereof, and anabutment member connected to one of said pusher plates and movabletherewith for engaging said vertical leg and operating said forcetransmitting linkage.

4-. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said forcetransmitting linkage includes a detachable link for de-activating saidfolding-plates to permit said packaging apparatus to be converted forsetting up, filling and closing the folded-flat carton having a closureflat folding sequence differing from that with which the folding-platesare normally used.

5. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said firstouter flap-folding means comprises a force transmitting bar operativelyconnected to said pusher plate, an abutment member projecting verticallyabove said bar and extending transversely beneath said longitudinal pathof travel.

6. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the saidabutment member comprises a vertically extending support leverintermediately pivoted and spring biased rearwardly, and a mountingmember detachably connected to said force transmitting bar for removaltherefrom when said apparatus is converted.

7. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said secondouter closure flap-folding means comprises a pivotal force transmittingrod disposed adjacent to said force transmitting bar, said forcetransmitting bar including an apertured leg reciprocably receiving saidforce transmitting rod therethrough, said force transmitting rodincluding an adjustable abutment element thereon for engagement by saidapertured leg for movement of said force transmitting rod during apredetermined increment of travel of said force transmitting bar.

8. In a packaging apparatus as claimeed in claim 6 in which said secondouter closure flap-folding means is detachably mounted on said waymembers for removal therefrom when said apparatus is converted.

9. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said secondouter closure flap-folding means includes longitudinally disposedsupport element extending beneath the longitudinal path of travelbetween said second outer closure flap-folding means and said cartonfilling means for receiving the oriented lower closure fiaps thereon asthey are moved downstream through said longitudinal path of travel.

10. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said hoppermeans comprises a horizontal support plate for receiving the lower edgesof the folded-fiat cartons therein, and an insert plate removablysupported on said base plate and including an elongated verticallydisposed channel portion for engaging a substantially conforming portionon the outer closure flaps of said foldedflat cartons.

11. In a packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said upperflap-folding means comprises a first attachment displaceably mounted onsaid way members and including longitudinally extending folding bladesfor engaging the upper inner closure flaps and orienting the same inoverlying relationship, and second attachment including folding memberssequentially engageable with the leading and trailing outer closureflaps for folding the same in overlying relationship with respect tosaid upper inner closure flaps, and means for retaining the upper innerand outer closure flaps in overlying folded relationship.

No references cited.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

E. F. DESMOND, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A PACKAGING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SETTING UP, FILLING ANDCLOSING THE FLAPS OF A CARTON SUPPLIED INITIALLY FLAT AND HAVING FOURSIDE WALL PANELS AND AN UPPER AND LOWER PAIR OF INNER AND OUTER CLOSUREFLAPS HINGED AT THE END OF SIDE WALL, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING WAYMEMBERS SUPPORTED ON A BASE AND DEFINING A LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVELHAVING AN UPSTREAM INLET PORTION AND A DOWNSTREAM OUTLET PORTION, APUSHER PLATE RECIPROCABLY SUPPORTED ON EACH OF SAID WAY MEMBERS, SAIDPUSHER PLATES INCLUDING PORTIONS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG ANDPROJECTING INTO SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FOR ENGAGING AND MOVINGCARTONS STEP-BY-STEP THROUGH SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL AS SAIDPUSHER PLATES ARE RECIPROCATED, HOPPER MEANS ON SAID BASE FOR SUPPORTINGVERTICALLY DISPOSED, FOLDED-FLAT CARTONS ON EDGE AND FEEDING THEMONE-BY-ONE INTO SAID INLET, MEANS ON SAID WAY MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING AFOLDED-FLAT CARTON AND ORIENTING THE SIDE WALLS AS A RECTANGULAR TUBEBETWEEN SAID WAY MEMBERS, LOWER FLAP-FOLDING MEANS ON SAID WAY MEMBERSBELOW SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAIDPUSHER PLATES FOR CLOSING THE LOWER FLAPS IN SEQUENCE AT THE LOWER EDGESOF SAID LOWER CARTON SIDE WALL PANELS, AND CLOSING THE BOTTOM OF SAIDTUBE, CARTON FILLING MEANS DOWNSTREAM OF SAID LOWER FLAPFOLDING MEANSFOR FILLING SAID CARTON WITH A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT ON MATERIAL TO BEPACKAGED, AND UPPER FLAP-FOLDING MEANS DOWNSTREAM OF SAID CARTON FILLINGMEANS AND ABOVE SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FOR CLOSING THE UPPERCARTON FLAPS IN SEQUENCE; THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID LOWERFLAP-FOLDING MEANS COMPRISING LOWER INNER CLOSURE FLAP-FODLING MEMBERSDISPLACEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID WAY MEMBERS AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAIDLONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FOR FOLDING THE LOWER INNER CLOSURE FLAPSINTO OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP, FIRST OUTER CLOSURE FLAP-FOLDING MEANSRECIPROCABLY SUPPORTED BENEATH SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FORENGAGING THE LEADING, LOWER OUTER CLOSURE FLAP AND FOLDING IT OVER THELOWER INNER CLOSURE FLAPS AND TRAVELING DOWNSTREAM WITH SAID CARTON ANDRETAINING SAID INNER CLOSURE FLAPS AND LEADING OUTER CLOSURE FLAPS INFOLDED RELATIONSHIP, AND SECOND OUTER CLOSURE FLAP-FOLDING MEANSPIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BENEATH SAID LONGITUDINAL PATH OF TRAVEL FORENGAGING THE TRAILING OUTER CLOSURE FLAP AND FOLDING THE SAME INOVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID PREVIOUSLY FOLDED INNERCLOSURE FLAPS.